For Older Canberrans
Join our in-person group guitar classes so that you can learn your favourite songs and enrich the community through music.
Term 2 has started!
Beginners Classes
Our Beginners Class is ideal if you want to start guitar from scratch. From the first lesson you will learn easy chords to play fun songs. As the term progresses at a friendly pace, you’ll learn enough chords and strumming patterns to play a variety of songs, working towards a combined community performance with the other groups.
Our 60-minute weekday classes taught by Eduardo Ruiz are suitable and friendly for brand new players and those who want to learn the basics of good guitar technique from the ground-up. No experience needed!
Beginner Class Times
Southside – Weston Creek Community Centre
Mondays at 5:30pm – starting 20th April – Class Full!
Southside – Erindale Neighourhood Centre, Wanniassa
Mondays at 2pm – starting 20th April – Class Full!
Wednesdays at 1pm – starting 22nd April
Northside – Downer Community Centre
Thursdays at 9:30am – starting 23rd April
Thursdays at 12pm – starting 23rd April
Northside – Gungahlin Salvation Army Hall
Fridays at 2pm – starting 24th April
Intermediate Classes
Our Intermediate Class is ideal if you are confident changing between open chords, know a few strumming patterns, and like learning at a faster pace. Throughout the term, you will build a repertoire of contemporary classics and sing-along songs as part of a combined community performance with the other groups.
Our 60-minute weekday classes taught by Eduardo Ruiz are a great fit for guitarists who want to take their technique up a notch, with opportunities to learn improvised soloing and finger picking.
Intermediate Class Times
Southside – Weston Creek Community Centre
Mondays at 6:45pm – starting 20th April
Southside – Erindale Neighbourhood Centre, Wanniassa
Mondays at 3:15pm – starting 20th April
Wednesdays at 2:15pm – starting 22nd April – Class Full!
Northside – Downer Community Centre
Thursdays at 10:45am – starting 23rd April
Northside – Gungahlin Salvation Army Hall
Fridays at 12:45pm – starting 24th April
StrumTree Guitar Ensemble (Advanced)
The StrumTree Guitar Ensemble class is suitable for more advanced students who are confident with the basics of sight-reading guitar music notes. Throughout the term, you will play duets and different melodies/harmonies to the other students to learn pieces together as an ensemble. In this class, it is required that students know how to read guitar music and/or guitar tabs.
Our 90-minute Wednesday evening classes allow for a longer rehearsal time under the experienced guidance of Eduardo Ruiz. This class is a great fit for guitarists comitted to regular practice, who want to build a repertoire of classical and contemporary ensemble pieces with the goal of combined end-of-term community performances.
Ensemble Class Time
Northside – Gungahlin Community Centre
Wednesdays at 5:30pm – starting 22nd April
About the Tutor
Eduardo Ruiz is an outstanding performer and passionate classical guitar teacher who blends traditional techniques with Peruvian influences. Through his love of community, Eduardo nurtures students of all ages, focusing on technique, musicianship, and reading skills.
Special Bonuses:
- All songs, music, and class content printed for you.
- Access to growing online library of guitar video resources prepared by the tutors.
- Weekly recap videos sent to your inbox after class.
- End of term community performance opportunities with aged care.
How much do the classes cost?
Our beginner and intermediate classes cost $500 per term of 60 minute classes (equivalent to $50 per class with Eduardo Ruiz).
The Guitar Ensemble Class is $575 per term of 10x 90 minute classes (equivalent to $57.50 per 90 minute class with Eduardo Ruiz).
How many people in a class?
We cap our weekly classes to 8 people, but some classes are smaller than others. Some of our special-themed weekend workshops are open to more people.
What if I’m away for a few weeks or I miss a class?
If you need to withdraw during a term due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness, family emergency, relocation or major work changes), the remaining unused weeks of your term can be transferred as a credit to a future term or another StrumTree class, subject to availability.
Missed classes are generally non-refundable. However we offer a make-up class in another group during the same term, and will provide practice materials so you can keep up. For more details, please see our refunds and cancellation policy.
I’m signing up late. Is it too late to join part-way through a term?
Not at all! We will do the best we can to provide you with all the class material and resources to catch up. For best results, give yourself time for additional practice for missed content.
Contact us here to sign up part-way through the term.
Do you have evening classes?
We currently have our advanced guitar ensemble group in Downer on Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm. We will be opening up 2 more evening classes in term 2 2026!
Do I need to bring my own guitar?
While our teacher can provide a spare guitar in the first couple of weeks, it is asked that eventually you bring your own guitar to class, as we expect students to practice on their own guitars at home.